The crockpot beef stew is a hearty soup made with tender beef, vegetables and savory seasonings simmered in the slow cooker. Itโs a comforting dinner on a chill day!
Crock Pot Beef Stew Recipe
This crockpot beef stew is made with tender chunks of beef and veggies that simmers in a soupy flavorful broth. Pair it with a basket of Lion House rolls and itโs a hearty comfort food dinner just like my beef stroganoff or my beef noodle soup recipe.
Slow cooker recipes are a great way to get a weeknight dinner on the table with little effort. You set it and hours later when youโre ready to eat, the aroma of a home cooked meal is permeating throughout your home. Other favorites include slow cooker beef bourguignon, beef tips and pot roast!
Recipe Ingredients
- Beef: Best is to use pre-cut beef stewing cubes or chuck. You can also cut it yourself, but donโt use anything too lean as the fat helps flavor the soup.
- Seasonings: Kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, bay leaves and Italian seasoning.
- Beef stock: I love the rich taste of beef stock, but beef broth works as well.
- Tomato paste: Adds a balanced flavor to the broth.
- Worcestershire sauce: Donโt skip this! It adds so much savory flavor (umami)
- Vegetables: Onion, baby potatoes, carrots and celery.
- Flour: I used all-purpose flour to thicken the soup. Cornstarch could also be used.
Variations
- I use beef stew meat for my recipes because it usually comes pre-cut, but go ahead and use beef chuck roast or sirloin tip cut into chunks if you like. Save short ribs for this braised beef short ribs recipe.
- For a little depth of flavor try adding some red wine (the alcohol will cook off).
- Add a little more veggies during the last hour of cooking. Frozen peas, corn, or sliced mushrooms are great.
- Swap the Italian seasoning for thyme or oregano on its own.
How to Make Crockpot Beef Stew
Brown beef on all sides in a large skillet with some olive oil. Season beef with salt and pepper and place in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add beef stock, tomato paste, worcestershire sauce and seasonings to the skillet, simmer then add to the slow cooker.
Add all vegetables to the crockpot ending with 2 bay leaves on top. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or 3-4 hours on high heat.
Make a flour thickener with a small amount of the beef stew liquid and flour. Then pour back into the slow cooker and cook an additional 30 minutes.
Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Beef Stew
- A good sear. Donโt skip the browning of the meat. When you sear the outside, it traps in the moisture, it adds incredible flavor and the brown bits it leaves behind add flavor to the broth.
- Consistency of the broth. You can make the broth as thick or as thin as you like. Leave it completely soupy or start with a bit of flour to thicken it up. Want it even thicker like a gravy? Add more flour.
- Best served warm. The great thing about this slow cooker beef stew recipe is that you can leave it on warm and have people serve themselves.
- Flourless broth. Make this gluten-free and swap the flour for a cornstarch slurry.
Best Sides for Beef Stew in the Slow Cooker
More beef recipes in the crockpot include this crockpot brisket recipe, crock pot Mississippi pot roast and beef barbacoa.
More Crockpot Soup Recipes to Try
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Crockpot Beef Stew
Ingredients
- 1-2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1-2 pounds stewing beef , cut into large 1-inch chunks
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt , more to taste
- ยฝ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper , more to taste
- 32 ounces beef stock , or broth
- 2-3 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2-3 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 small onion , diced
- 1 pound baby potatoes , quartered
- 4 carrots , peeled and diced into 1-inch pieces
- 4 celery ribs , sliced thin
- 2 bay leaves
- 2-4 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Brown beef. Heat 2 Tablespoons olive oil in large heavy saute pan or stock pot. Season 2 pounds stewing beef with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and then add to pan. Cook in 2 batches, until browned on all sides, about 3-5 minutes per batch. Put the meat in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Combine liquid and seasonings. Add 32 ounces beef stock, 2 Tablespoons tomato paste and 2 Tablespoons worcestershire sauce to the pot. Add 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning and 1 teaspoon garlic powder. Simmer for a couple minutes and scrape the bottom of the pan to get the bits. Pour the liquid from the pan into the slow cooker with the beef.
- Add vegetables to crock pot. Add 1 onion, 1 pound quartered potatoes, 4 diced carrots and 4 thin sliced celery ribs to the slow cooker. Place 2 bay leaves on top. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or 3-4 hours on high heat. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Make flour thickener. In a small bowl whisk together 2-4 Tablespoons flour and 1/2 cup stew broth. Add more flour for a thicker stew. Then pour back into the slow cooker and cook an additional 30 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve. Serve while warm. Add fresh herbs on top if desired.
Notes
- Add 1 cup frozen peas
- Add 1 cup frozen corn
- Add 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Donโt forget to give it a star rating below!
FAQs
You can keep stew in the refrigerator covered in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge. Reheat on the stovetop until warmed through. If youโre just reheating individual bowls, you can also reheat in the microwave.
Stews that use flour (like this one) to thicken, can separate over time in the freezer. You can freeze it, just be aware that the potatoes may change their texture and youโll need to give it a good stir once it has had a chance to thaw.
Can you use red potatoes in place of the baby potatoes? And any substitution recommendations for the Worcestershire sauce? Hoping to make this recipe this week! Thanks!
Yes, that is fine on the potatoes since both are considered waxy potatoes. Depending on their size, you may need to do more than quarter them. I would aim for equally sized pieces. It wonโt be quite the same but soy sauce or tamari can work as as substitution.
Really good. Halved the recipe based on using a small piece of cut-up roast. Returned from a fun day trip to Independence Mine with my family here in AK. It was so good. Served it with biskets and rice on the side. Thank you for sharing. So good.
Iโm so glad to hear your family enjoyed it :)
This is so good and comforting!! Everyone loved this delicious meal!
I made this on Friday during an ice storm. It was perfectly delicious. I didnโt use the bay leaf though.
Iโm so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Sharron! Stay warm :)
Just made this for my family and they loved it! I think the Italian seasoning really adds something nice to the broth!
Yay! So glad it was a hit with your family, Stephanie. Thanks for your comment and review :)
This beef stew is so simple and delicious. I love coming home to it after a day out!
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Ashley :)